Class rankings

2014-06-09 00:00:00

Which school has the top recruiting class in 2015?

By EJ Holland DCTF Associate Editor

Spring evaluation is over and camp season is now in full swing, which means schools are in the midst of a recruiting frenzy. Take SMU for example. The Mustangs were sitting at zero commits in late May and are now just one short of hitting double digits.

Obviously, a lot can and will change from now until National Signing Day in February. Prospects will rise, fall and second-guess their original decisions. But it’s all part of the fun and craziness that is the recruiting process.

Here is an early ranking of 2015 classes for Texas schools.

1. Texas A&M

Commits: 13

Top Commit: QB Kyler Murray, Allen

Next Best: DT Daylon Mack, Gladewater

Quick hit: Texas A&M did lose Katy running back Rodney Anderson, but the Aggies still have Splendora product Jay Bradford and added recent commitments from Allen quarterback Kyler Murray, Cy Ridge wide receiver Kemah Siverand and George Ranch defensive end Kingsley Keke. Murray is one of the top three overall players in the state while Keke should be a stud on the defensive line in the near future. Overall, there is a lot to like about this class, and it might become even better when Cedar Hill wide out DaMarkus Lodge announces in a few weeks.

2. Texas

Commits: 10

Top Commit: OL Patrick Vahe, Euless Trinity

Next Best: QB Zach Gentry, Eldorado (NM)

Quick hit: The Longhorns still have a lot of work to do to dethrone the Aggies, but they’ve added some quality pieces since our last update, most notably Eldorado (NM) quarterback Zach Gentry. At 6-foot-6, 230-pounds, Gentry is a pure pocket passer who could finally be the quarterback Texas is looking for. Texas also picked up commitments from running backs Tristian Houston (Galena Park North Shore) and Kirk Johnson out of California as well as Converse Judson defensive back Keivon Ramsey.

3. Baylor

Commits: 10

Top Commit: ATH Chad President, Temple

Next Best: RB JaMycal Hasty, Longview

Quick hit: Baylor has athletes galore in this class — from Temple’s Chad President to Troup’s Blake Lynch. Over the last few months, the Bears have landed even more quality talent, headlined by Clear Falls wide receiver John Humprey, who can flat out fly. Baylor also picked up commitments from a pair of solid run-stopping linebackers in Abilene Wylie’s Clay Johnston and Austin Westlake’s Breckyn Hager, the younger sibling of current Bears linebacker Bryce Hager. Baylor, however, suffered a big blow when it lost Burton athlete Louis Brown over the weekend.

4. TCU

Commits: 11

Top Commit: OL Cody Ford, Pineville (LA)

Next Best: WR JF Thomas, South Oak Cliff

Quick hit: When we last updated these rankings, TCU already had an array of solid defensive commits such as Dallas Bryan Adams defensive tackle Joseph Broadnax, Round Rock defensive end Breylin Mitchell and FW Southwest linebacker Semaj Thomas. But over the last month or so, the Horned Frogs added some firepower on offense in the forms of wide receivers Darrion Flowers (Arlington Sam Houston) and JF Thomas (South Oak Cliff).

5. Texas Tech

Commits: 7

Top Commit: QB Jarrett Stidham, Stephenville

Next Best: DT Breiden Fehoko, Farrington (HI)

Quick hit: Kliff Kingsbury, aka Mr. Cool, is doing a terrific job out on the recruiting trail, and this class is shaping up to be a good one. Stidham is the No. 2 overall quarterback in the state, and he’ll have two quality blockers protecting him down the line in Frisco Centennial’s Trace Ellison and JUCO product Lio Lafaele. FB Elkins athlete Jonathan Giles will be a dangerous wide receiver in Lubbock. The Red Raiders also landed a defensive piece in interior lineman Breiden Fehoko, who is an absolute monster in the middle.

6. SMU

Commits: 9

Top Commit: WR James Proche, Prime Prep

Next Best: QB Kyle Kearns, Foothill (CA)

Quick hit: SMU went into May with zero verbal pledges and then caught fire towards the end of the month and the first week of June. The Ponies stole Prime Prep wide out Jame Proche from multiple BCS schools and landed a talented quarterback in Foothill (CA) signal-caller Kyle Kearns. June Jones has yet to recruit and develop a quarterback on the Hilltop, but Kearns has all the tools to be ‘the guy.’ Leander Rouse athlete Billy McCrary, Navarro JC defensive back Ray Crockett and Irving Nimitz linebackers Delonte and Michael Scott were also solid pick-ups.

7. Houston

Commits: 7

Top Commit: QB Ben Hicks, Waco Midway

Next Best: WR Terry Mark, Lufkin

Quick hit: When you think about Houston, offensive firepower certainly comes to mind. And this class has plenty of it. Waco Midway quarterback Ben Hicks passed for over 3,700 yards last year and is an Elite 11 finalist. His stock will continue to rise, so it will be imperative for Houston to keep him committed. Running Back Kevrin Justice carried Kilgore to the state title game last year, and Lufkin’s Terry Mark is yet another dangerous Piney Woods wide receiver. The Cougars, however, still have some work to do on the defensive side of the ball.

8. Rice

Commits: 8

Top Commit: DT Ross Donnelly, Cy-Fair

Next Best: QB JT Granato, Houston Kinkaid

Quick hit: Rice used an obscure method to land its quarterback of the future. But hey, what ever works to land top prospects is cool with us. Houston Kinkaid signal-caller JT Granato has a strong arm and is an excellent land for Rice. The Owls are also getting it done on the defense. Cy-Fair defensive tackle Ross Donnelly was an absolute steal and defensive backs Christian Bertrand (FB Hightower) and Josh Cummings (Jesuit) were quietly good pick-ups. Athletes Justin Tyner and Hunter Herndon are both intriguing and could make impacts on both sides of the ball.

9. UTSA

Commits: 9

Top Commit: ATH D’Anthony Hopkins, Cuero

Next Best: QB Manny Harris, Copperas Cove

Quick hit: UTSA landed its best commit in the class back in February and added some quality pieces offensively over the last few months. The group is highlighted by dual-threat Copperas Cove quarterback Manny Harris, who should be right in the thick of things when Tucker Carter departs. Running back Jess Anders was part of that dangerous Aledo offense from a year ago and compiled 2,000 total yards. Wide receivers Derrick Dick (A&M Consolidated) and Peyton Hall (SA Brandeis) both have tremendous upside. Now, the Roadrunners just have to focus on defense.

10. Texas State

Commits: 2

Top Commit: WR Justin Gamble, RR Stony Point

Next Best: DE Landon Beck, Early

Quick hit: Texas State still has a lot of work to do in this class. But the good news is the Bobcats already have two quality verbal pledges in hand. RR Stony Point wide out Justin Gamble picked Texas State over an offer from Texas Tech, and Early defensive end Landon Beck screams potential.

11. North Texas

Commits: 1

Quick hit: North Texas is still searching for its next commit after landing John Tyler wide receiver Rodney Bendy last month. At 6-foot-4, 185-pounds, Bendy is a mismatch nightmare on the outside and could develop into a big time playmaker down the line. But North Texas, obviously, still has a long way to go with this class.

12. UTEP

Commits: 0

Quick hit: The Miners usually come on strong late in the recruiting process. But having zero commits in June is a somewhat of a cause for concern. UTEP sent out quite a few offers last week, so Miner fans might not have to wait much longer for that first commit.

EJ Holland is the associate editor of Dave Campbell's Texas Football and TexasFootball.com.

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